KACP KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING FEB. 23
Friday, Feb. 23, marked the 37th day of the 60-day legislative session. A total of 952 bills have been filed: 684 bills in the House and 268 bills in the Senate.
THE LATEST ON LEGISLATION
Bill filing deadline
This week marks the deadline for filing bills: Feb. 26th in the House, Feb. 28th in the Senate
Pension System Health Insurance
KACP is still in ongoing discussions about legislation that would increase the healthcare stipend for some law enforcement officers in the pension system. (Tier 1 who began participation after July 2003; all Tier II and III.).
KACP testifies; KLEC bill passed out of committee
KACP Executive Director Shawn Butler testified in support of HB 482, which is related to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. Filed by Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, the bill adds the chief of police of the Owensboro Police Department and the director of the Northern Kentucky Police and Sheriff’s Training Center to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. The bill passed unanimously out of committee with no discussion or questions and now awaits action by the full House. Support.
HB293, related to kratom
Kratom is an herbal drug frequently sold online and in convenience stores. The bill would prohibit sales to people under 21 and provide guidelines for labeling and advertising. Filed by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, the bill would regulate the sale and licensing of kratom. Chief Todd Kelly testified in support of the bill in committee. The bill has passed the House 87-7 and awaits a committee assignment in the Senate. Support.
SB162, related to vehicle accident reports.
Filed by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, the bill allows law enforcement agencies to retain copies of accident reports filed with the KSP and allows agencies to contract with third parties to provide the reports to other entities that are eligible to receive them. Passed the Senate 37-0. Awaits House Committee assignment. Support.
A note on bills
The Senate is expected to begin hearing House bills the first week of March.
Senate budget
The Senate is expected to release its version of the two-year state budget early this week, possibly Tuesday. KACP will report on the proposed KLEFPF increase.
NEW LEGISLATION FILED
SB2, related to placing “guardians” in public schools
Filed by Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, the bill would establish a framework for employment of Kentucky guardians in schools to provide school safety. Awaiting committee assignment. We are still reviewing the bill.
HB620, related to driving and use of personal communication devices
Filed by Michael “Sarge” Pollock, R-Campbellsville, the bill would prohibit the use of a personal communication device or stand-alone electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Awaiting committee assignment. We are still reviewing the bill.
LEGISLATION KACP SUPPORTS
HOUSE
HB5, the crime bill
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, the 72-page bill is dubbed the Safer Kentucky Act. After a slew of amendments, the bill was passed in the House by a vote of 72-22 and awaits a Senate committee assignment. Among its provisions is a three strikes law to require a life sentence after a person’s third violent felony, along with increasing penalties for crimes like carjacking and fentanyl trafficking that causes an overdose death. It would also crack down on vandalism, homeless encampments and allow businesses to use force to stop shoplifters. Passed House. Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee. Support.
HB134, taxing of retirement distributions
Sponsored by Ashley Tackett Laferty, D-Martin, the bill increases the retirement distribution exclusion from $31,110 to $41,100 for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025. Awaiting committee assignment. Support
HB143, retirement benefits
Sponsored by Rep. Rachel Roberts, D-Newport, the bill would amend retirement benefits for members in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS) or in a hazardous position in either the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) or County Employees Retirement System (CERS) who are hired after Jan. 1, 2014, but before Jan. 1, 2025. Awaiting committee assignment. Support
HB207, related to sex dolls
Sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, the bill prohibits the possession, trafficking, importing and advancing of a child sex doll. Passed House. Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee. Support
HB 248, relating to reinstatement of police and fire department employees
Sponsored by Rep. Killian Timoney, R-Fayette, Amend KRS 95.440 to remove the requirement that a person shall only be eligible for reinstatement to a police or fire department within one year following separation from employment. Passed committee, awaiting action by the full House. Support
HB349, related to in line of duty disability benefits
Filed by Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, the bill would provide full hospital and medical insurance benefits for a member of the retirement system, their spouse, and their dependents if a member becomes disabled in the line of duty with a hazardous disability. Assigned to House State Government Committee. Support.
SENATE
SB11, related to juvenile justice
Filed by Sen. John Schickel, the bill requires notice to schools prior to filing of a public offense petition against a child in certain cases. Passed the Senate and awaits a House committee assignment. Support.
SB32, driving under the influence of marijuana
Sponsored by Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan the bill creates a per se limit for marijuana concentration measured by a blood test. KACP will meet with the sponsor for more details on the legislation. Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee. Support
LEGISLATION KACP OPPOSING
HOUSE
HB359, related to telecommunicators/KLEFPF funds
Filed by Rep. Bill Wesley, R-Ravenna, the bill would provide KLEFPF funds to telecommunicators. Awaiting committee assignment. Oppose.
SENATE
SB115, related to federal law enforcement officers
Filed by Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, the bill would remove the authority of delineated federal law enforcement officers to function as peace officers in Kentucky. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Oppose.
LEGISLATION KACP FOLLOWING/MONITORING
HOUSE
HB20, cost-of-living increase retirement benefits
Sponsored by Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, D-Lexington, the bill provides a one-time, 2 percent COLA adjustment for KERS nonhazardous and hazardous duty recipients and State Police Retirement System recipients. KACP is concerned the bill does not include CERS recipients and is working to try and make that change. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
HB45, privacy protection
Sponsored by Rep. John Hodgson, R-Louisville, the bill defines terms related to automated license plate readers, establishes limitations on the use and sale of data captured by the readers and defines terms and establishes limitations on the use of drones. Assigned to House Judiciary Committee. Monitoring.
HB142, nicotine products
Sponsored by Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, the bill requires the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to establish a vapor retail license and establishes penalties for under the age of 21 who purchase or attempt to purchase alternative nicotine, tobacco or vapor products. Passed committee. Awaiting action by the full House. Monitoring.
HB157, interrogation of children
The bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, and Rep. Mike Nemes, R-Louisville, prohibits a child from being interrogated using deceptive methods. Awaiting committee assignment. KACP has met with the sponsors. Awaiting committee assignment Monitoring.
HB216, related to retirement
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, the bill would provide supplemental payment for recipients of a monthly retirement allowance from the systems administered by KERS. KACP is concerned the bill does not include CERS recipients and is working to try and make that change. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
HB286, related to DNA
Filed by Rep. Patrick Flannery, the bill would allow law enforcement officers to collect DNA samples. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
HB298, related to DUI
Filed by Rep. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, the will would increase penalties for a driver under 21 who operates a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
HB329, related to police officer mental health
Filed by Rep. Chris Freeland, R-Benton, the bill stipulates that to be eligible for KLEFPF/Law Enforcement Foundation Program funds, law enforcement agencies would be required to have a written policy related to police officer mental health programs. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
HB331, related to firearms
Filed Rep. Lisa Willner, D-Louisville, the will would allow law enforcement officers to petition a court to issue an extreme risk protection order when a respondent poses a present danger of causing serious physical injury to themselves or others through purchasing, processing or receiving a firearm, other provisions. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring. Note: similar to SB13
HB460, related to firearms
Filed by Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, the bill establishes requirements for individuals in crisis to voluntarily request inclusion on a list that prohibits the purchase or possession of firearms for specified periods and to voluntarily commit their firearms to law enforcement for safe storage and surrender. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
SENATE
SB13, relate to crisis aversion and rights retention orders.
Filed Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, the will would allow law enforcement officers to petition a court to issue an extreme risk protection order when a respondent poses a present danger of causing serious physical injury to themselves or others through purchasing, processing or receiving a firearm, other provisions. Awaiting committee assignment. KACP has concerns about the provisions of this legislation and officer safety issues. We communicated to the sponsor about making changes to address our concerns. Monitoring. Note: similar to HB331.
SB45, missing adults
Sponsored by Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, the bill requires KSP to create and operate the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System to provide public notification through the use of media providers and highways signs when an adult is missing and may have been abducted or kidnapped or may be in physical danger. Passed Senate 32-3. Awaiting House committee assignment. Monitoring.
SB178, related to firearms
Filed by Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, and Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, the bill permits the destruction of confiscated firearms and requires the destruction if the firearm was used in the commission of a violent offense. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Monitoring.
SB187, related to modified weapons
Filed by Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, the bill provides definitions of modified weapons and provides that a dealer may not deliver a modified weapon until seven days have elapsed from the date of purchase application; also regulates the possession and buying of a modified weapon by persons under 21. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Monitoring
SB190, related to firearms
Filed by Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, the bill establishes requirements for individuals to voluntarily request inclusion on a list the prohibits the purchase or possession of firearms for specified periods and to voluntarily commit their firearms to law enforcement for safe storage or permanent surrender. Assigned to Senate Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee. Monitoring.
SB196, related to retirement
Filed by Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, the bill relates to optional retirement benefits for hazardous duty employees participating in CERS’s hybrid cash balance plans. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
CONCEALED CARRY BILLS
SB114, concealed carry/school buildings
Filed by Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, the bill would modify the prohibiting of weapons on school grounds. Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Monitoring.
HB259, concealed carry age requirements
Filed by Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, the bill would lower the age requirement for carrying a concealed weapon from 21 to 18. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
HB288, concealed carry/government facilities
Filed by Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, the bill would limit or eliminate prohibitions on carrying concealed weapons in government buildings, college campuses, schools and portions of airports. Awaiting committee assignment. Monitoring.
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
Feb. 26: Last day for introduction of new House bills
Feb. 28: Last day for introduction of new Senate bills
March 29 – April 9: Veto recess
March 12, 15: Final legislative days
FOR MORE INFO
As always, questions, suggestions, comments or concerns can be directed to Executive Director Shawn Butler, who can be reached at 859-743-2920 or sbutler@kypolicechiefs.org or KACP lobbyist Patrick Crowley, who can be reached at 859-462-4245 or pcrowley@strategicadvisersllc.com.
You can also follow the legislative activity through the Kentucky General Assembly website.